10% of defective mines were replaced at the front, and production standards were also significantly strengthened. In total, 30,000 defective ammunition that did not meet critical requirements were withdrawn.
This was reported by the Ministry of Strategic Industry, Suspilne reports.
The following shortcomings were found in the batch of defective mines:
- mismatch of the diameter of the ammunition. This, in turn, did not allow the powder gases to push the mine out, as they passed by it - between the mine and the mortar barrel;
- part of the mine structure flying off;
- substandard powders, that is, the powder did not explode with the required force.
"Nowadays, all enterprises that produce mines check 100% of the external geometric parameters of the ammunition. This is done to ensure that the projectile clearly corresponds to the caliber. The gunpowder exploded with insufficient force because it was wetter than the permissible norm. This happened due to the packaging, which, if stored improperly, let moisture through. Now all the gunpowder is packed in hermetic packages that can withstand at least 10 hours in water. Such packaging will now be used for both mines and other ammunition. The gunpowder from the seized batch will be dried and reused. The new packaging should also ensure 10 years of ammunition storage in warehouses. The charges themselves can be stored for 12 hours in the open air after opening, as additional varnishing of the charge has been added. That is, the mine comes with a new fuse, a new modified main charge and verification of all geometric parameters," Smetanin added.
The manufacturer is replacing all the seized products at its own expense. The manufacturer itself continues to produce mines in a regular mode and has already delivered more than 32,000 rounds of ammunition.
The mines have also had their fuses replaced from Soviet ones to modern ones.
According to Smetanin, last year about half of the mines on the front were of Ukrainian production. In 2025, it is planned to produce "the maximum amount of ammunition, close to the entire need." In total, this year, it is planned to produce millions of mortar rounds and other ammunition, Smetanin added.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, in early November, Ukrainian military personnel began to complain about defective 120-millimeter mines produced by Ukroboronprom that were delivered to the front. Currently, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has stated that it is investigating the reasons for their abnormal activation.
On November 20, journalist Yurii Butusov published a video in which defenders complain that ammunition from this manufacturer is of low quality.
Who we are: About us, Contacts. How we write news and our principles: Editorial code. We did our best. If you found this valuable – please support us.
To request a correction, please send an email.